47 fishermen reach Chennai after being released from Sri Lankan custody

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, Feb 18, 2022: At least 47 fishermen, who were released by the Sri Lankan Navy after the intervention of the Central government, arrived in Chennai on Friday morning.

 

The fishermen who returned to India on Friday belong to Rameswaram, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai districts in Tamil Nadu.

They were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy when they ventured into the sea for fishing in December 2021.

In December alone, as many as 56 fishermen were arrested and nine boats, fishing nets, and other gear was confiscated. The arrested fishermen were produced before the courts in Sri Lanka and imprisoned, as reported by news agency ANI.

After they were imprisoned, the state government wrote a letter to the Union Minister of External Affairs.

The Central Government and the Government of Tamil Nadu immediately took steps for the release of the fishermen.

After the government took steps for the release of the fishermen, a Sri Lankan court released 56 Tamil Nadu fishermen in January and they were handed over to Indian Embassy officials.

However, several fishermen were tested positive for Covid-19 when the embassy was taking steps to send them back.

On February 10, at the request of the Tamil Nadu government, the Indian Embassy sent those fishermen who were not infected with the virus.

Following this, 47 fishermen arrived at the Chennai International Airport at 4.20 am today. They were welcomed by the state fisheries department officials.

Courtesy:India Today